Making a return visit to Crediton Tracey Johnson travelled from Torquay to delight members with her demonstration “Out of the Wood”.

As well as being a very skilled flower arranger Tracy is also an arts and crafts tutor and brought along many examples of her work to compliment the arrangements.

Her first design emphasised the return of the use of chicken wire rather than oasis and was created in a driftwood container with the use of gold netting to set off beautiful creamy white roses with lizianthus and little polar bears to complete the snowy scene.

Next came a “twiggy wreath” with foliage chosen to set off beautiful purple gladioli, lizianthus and blue iris - a real show stopper!

Tracy had created a container from a piece of tree trunk which was transformed with beautiful foliage, pink roses and lilies which she presented with the traditional “one she had made earlier” - a smaller design mounted on a tall wicker stand.

The demonstration continued with a very simple arrangement set against a beautiful branch of apple wood, ferns, peach roses and stunning yellow chrysanthemums to echo the recent Halloween colours.

We then set sail! - Tracy’s husband had created the hull of a boat from wooden slats and the addition of a cotton sail. A wave was then skilfully represented with a foliage background and a mass of white lilies, eryngium, blue sprayed solidago and lizanthiums.

Two crafted felt seals were looking on.

The finale was a creation of a beautiful woodland scene, again with logs and other woodland plant material into which three placements of pink cyclamen and ferns really completed the picture.

Tracy’s final inspirational was an illuminated sphere representing the moon which she carefully nestled in between a cradle of twigs.Throughout her demonstrationTracy kept her audience very entertained with tales of her military background and family occasions.

The vote of thanks was given by Mary Nunn who echoed everyone’s amazement at Tracy’s skill and it is hoped she will visit us again soon.

Speaking of Mary Nunn, Club Chairman Gay Mullins, was delighted to announce that at the recent Area AGM Mary was presented with a special award of merit by the Area President and Chairman, in recognition of the support she has given in so many ways and for so many years - a well deserved tribute to a special person.

The Club’s next meeting will be the Christmas Social Evening on Thursday, December 9 at 7.15 at the Boniface Centre when members will enjoy a “Bring and Share” supper and also an opportunity to create, if they wish, a small Christmas table arrangement bringing either own foliage and mechanics or perhaps buying something from stall.

A happy evening is planned - members and visitors welcome.

Ellie Taylor